Pine Marten Bar + Scran owner Scott Fleming (34) was a huge character
Family, friends and the wider community are in mourning following the sudden death on Wednesday evening of Aviemore and Glenmore favourite Scott Fleming.
‘Scotty’ had been Mine Host at the ever popular Pine Marten Bar + Scran in Glenmore since November 2018 and had built up a formidable range of customers and friends around the globe.
His body was discovered at his home in Aviemore’s Callart Road and there are believed to be no suspicious circumstances.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “Around 5.45pm on Wednesday, 28 May, we received a report of a death of a 34-year-old man in the Callart Road area of Aviemore.
“His next of kin are aware.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.
“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
Scott had swiftly restored the reputation of one of the strath’s most idyllic hostelries - located beside tourist hotspot Loch Morlich - following the death of former Glenmore Cafe and Shop owner Bill Wilson in 2017.
Scott had a genius for promotional social media and a passion for the place he called home, regularly going to war over the detritus and litter left by careless campers.
He and his then partner Katie Jachacy spent much of their time scouring the beach and woods with armfuls of black sacks.
He also went to war with graffiti artists who trashed a cherished old Strathspey bothy at Abernethy, spending hours cleaning up the mess they had made in September 2020.
Another unforgotten gesture during those difficult months of the Covid pandemic was his decision to thank those who had helped the business by giving away free Christmas dinners to those most in need of them.
In January 2021 he made the headlines by completing a 100-mile challenge in cheeky fashion in time for turning 30, ticking off the miles in all manner of ways in two weeks to raise funds for the charity UK Mental Health – and raising many smiles along the way with his humorous posts on social media.
He told the Strathy at the time: "I have chosen Mental Health UK as I’m sure there is a massive demand at the moment with the current situation.
“I personally have had to deal with some mental health problems.”
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The talented snowboarder often discussed his issues on social media.
His charisma and spirit was recognised and admired by so many who encountered him.
His qualities inspired Visit Scotland to include him in a celebration of its ‘Characters of the Cairngorms’, where he was profiled by mountain photographer Ed Smith:
“Having left school at 15 to work towards becoming a snowboard instructor in Canada, Scott came back home to ‘sort my life out’.
“From being a ‘lifty’ at Cairngorm Mountain to working in local bars, he’s now a co-owner of the legendary Pine Marten Bar in Glenmore.
“It’s the people of the Cairngorms that have kept him here and his alternative, sociable and banter-filled ‘PR’ exploits attract many others in turn.
“With such a vast area to explore he admits he is still to see most of the Cairngorms, ‘even though I have lived here for almost 10 years!’
“Scotty is a true character in every sense of the word and he is very happy putting himself out there on film to entertain us through his brilliant use of social media.
“Not always fully clothed and very straight to the point, his sense of humour keeps us entertained and makes light of the tough world of hospitality.”
When his best friend, work and housemate Rodrigo Falcon went missing after the pair had been on a night out on December 10, 2022, Mr Fleming made it his over-riding mission to find him.
He led the way in organising extensive local searches and unending appeals for continued vigilance and assistance.
Sadly, Mr Falcon’s body was eventually found in April, last year, not far from Kinrara Distillery at Lynwilg on the outskirts of Aviemore.
The long-time disappearance and then confirmation of the death of his great friend hit Scott really hard.
He took over the sole running of the Pine Marten Scran + Bar at the end of August last year.
Katie posted at the time: “Thanks so much for all of your help and support over the last six years! I wish Scotty all the best flying solo.”
There has been an outpouring of grief for Scott in the local community.
Hundreds of messages of commiseration and consolation have been posted on the Pine Marten Bar page following his passing.
